June 2014
Your Hospice I miss her every day Every day is like Christmas
Mum’s tribute to her only daughter
What it’s like to work in our charity shops
By royal appointment
The Prince of Wales opens our reflective garden
Chief Executive’s Welcome It’s been another busy six months for us at Cotswold Care Hospice, the highlight of which was a visit from our Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales. As always, Prince Charles showed great interest in the work that we do and the people that we support.
Ben and Sam Hunt.
Cotswold Care Hospice is an independent charity providing specialist care for people living with or affected by a life-limiting illness in Gloucestershire. It is through the generosity of the community that we are able to provide our vital care and support free of charge to the people of this county when they need it the most.
Published by: Cotswold Care Hospice, Burleigh Lane, Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire GL5 2PQ T: 01453 886868 F: 01453 885282 E: info@cotswoldcare.org.uk www.cotswoldcare.org.uk Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales, KG, KT, GCB, OM Registered Company Limited by Guarantee. Number 2213662 Cotswold Care Hospice is a registered charity. Number 298627 Written by: Damselfly Communications Ltd Designed by: Melanie Wood Design Pictures by: Thousand Word Media Printed by: Severnprint
Front page: The Prince of Wales in the hospice’s new therapeutic garden.
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Prince Charles officially opened our wonderful new extended creative space and we are already putting it to good use. We have started a special art project with patients and local primary children working together and breaking down some of the taboos related to hospices. For many of the people we support, the hardest thing for them to do is to step across our threshold for the first time. The term “hospice” conjures up a place where one goes to die. Yes, we do support people at the end of their life but we also offer so much more. We want people not to be afraid of hospices but to see them as havens - safe retreats - places where they can rely on caring support when they need it most. Our school project is a small step towards breaking down those barriers. The children learned that the hospice is not a scary place far from it. Yes, there can be tears but there is also a great deal of laughter and love. And - as the children will all tell you - it is a place with a warm welcome and plenty of fantastic cake! Thank you so much for your continued support of Cotswold Care Hospice. I hope you will be able to join us for our Solstice Walk, when we mark the longest day of the year and celebrate the lives of loved ones who are no longer with us. You can expect laughter, tears, possibly a blister but always a strong sense of care and, of course, cake! With best regards Jules Eaton, Chief Executive.
Our shops get a makeover
C
otswold Care Hospice charity shops are getting a makeover.
The shops play an important part in the charity by raising more than one-third of money needed for the hospice to provide its services. ‘We wanted to increase our profile and to ensure we are looking our best on the high street,” said Di Garland, Retail Operations Manager. “It is important for us to maintain our competitive edge and raise as much money as we can for the charity.” The Stroud shop had a new floor and the shop area repainted with new shelves and fittings. Its bridal shop upstairs has also had a makeover. The shop in Cheltenham has also been fully redecorated with an extra changing room built and new flooring. In Nailsworth the shop has had new lighting and decoration while the Berkeley shop’s flooring has been replaced. In Dursley the changing room has been relocated so that there is more shop space to display goods. At Wotton, which is the first shop the charity opened, it has been completely redecorated including new flooring, lighting and fittings. “It was time to invest in our shops and make them more attractive for our customers. Every one of our 14 shops will be spruced up and improved,” said Di. “We work hard to ensure that we have good quality goods in all our shops. Now they will be displayed in the best possible way.”
Stroud shop manager Lisa Hitchcock.
Help us help more families Cotswold Care Hospice has launched an appeal to raise vital funds for our Hospice at Home service. The campaign features mum Angela Pearce and how the Hospice supported her daughter Vicky. You can read about Angela and Vicky on Page 10. So far the appeal has raised over £7,000, but we still need more so that we can continue to provide vital care in people’s homes. Without the support of the community we could never provide that care.
To donate visit our website www.cotswoldcare.org.uk/hospiceathome or use the form on the back of this magazine.
I don’t need help - I’m not that ill
M
arianne Sweet writes about why she decidedto refer herself for complementary therapies. When I started working for Cotswold Care six years ago I never thought I would need their help - at least not quite so soon.
“Why did I ask for
hospice support? In
the 1990s there was So I did something I never thought I’d do - I referred a famous L’Oreal advertisement promoting hair colour. Its slogan was - Because I’m worth it.
Even after I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and started chemotherapy it never entered my mind to ask for support. I wasn’t that ill. After all, my cancer was caught at an early stage and my prognosis is good. I planned my chemotherapy like an expedition. I cut my hair before it fell out. I bought the wig in advance so that I would be prepared. I ordered my stick-on eyebrows.
I took up weaving so that I would have a creative diversion and something else to think about. During this past year I have made some wonderful friends, all fellow cancer comrades. They are all like me, with careers and families and have kept going despite the chemo, the radiotherapy, the surgery and even the maggots. So I have ploughed on. With the end of chemotherapy in sight, I started to think about moving on. But 4.
to regain control of my life I need to give myself space and time to heal.
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myself for complementary therapy. Complementary therapy, such as massage, reiki, aromatherapy and reflexology, is about de-stressing and relaxation. It’s not alternative medicine.
Coming once a week for an hour’s treatment forces me to slow down, to take time to relax and accept the past year and move on. It is helping me to cope. Samantha Clark, complementary therapist at the hospice, believes this type of therapy has a place in everyone’s journey and recovery. Now that I am on that journey I agree. My weekly appointments with Samantha give me a grounding and new focal point. Why did I ask for hospice support? In the 1990s there was a famous L’Oreal advertisement promoting hair colour. Its slogan was “Because I’m worth it”. That’s why I decided I wanted the support. After a year of major surgery, endless scans and chemotherapy I needed a helping hand.
Why? Because I’m worth it. Everyone is.
What is complementary therapy? Complementary therapy treats the person, not the illness. It is gentle and non-invasive and offers a range of physical and psychological benefits.
Penny Perkin with one of her pieces that she has created in the Hospice art space.
The therapy is available to carers as well as those coping with a life-limiting or lifethreatening illness. You can refer yourself and come for six one-hour treatments. A therapist will go through an assessment, which includes your medical details, to determine what therapy would be best for you. They will try to focus on specific measurable elements you might be able to achieve, such as lessening anxiety or improving sleep. Complementary therapy is helpful for carers as well as for those who have been bereaved. Cotswold Care Hospice offers four forms of complementary therapy: aromatherapy, reflexology, massage and reiki. The therapists will talk to you about the benefits of each therapy and what happens during the treatment. 5.
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Creating an asis for reflection When sculptor Jim Milner accepted the commision to create a piece of sculpture for Cotswold Care Hospice he never thought it would receive the royal seal of approval.
But that is what happened. The Prince of Wales, who is Patron of our charity, visited the hospice in December 2013.
It was a fantastic “honour to meet the Prince, says Jim ” whose sculpture is created out of a single piece of Yorkshire stone.
The Prince met patients and families before being given a tour of the hospice’s new therapeutic garden where Jim’s creation takes pride of place.
“It was a fantastic honour to meet the Prince,” says Jim whose sculpture is created out of a single piece of Yorkshire stone. Fifteen years ago Jim returned to university as a mature student to study solid geometry. The beauty he finds in geometry is the inspiration behind his work.
Jim’s piece at Cotswold Care was inspired by a 19th century mathematician called Mobius. The Mobius strip which is made with a piece of paper and tape only has one face and one edge.
“It is a symbol of infinity and fitting for a place of reflection and the purpose of Cotswold Care,” said Jim. Corinne Godding, Head of Facilities & Resources, said the hospice wanted to create a quiet place that could be used by people who have been supported by our services. “We have our garden for our day hospice patients but we wanted something that was accessible to everyone.” 7.
The charity carried out consultations with patients, staff and volunteers. The most otswold Care Hospice popular requests were for the garden to be has appointed itsinclude first water wheelchair accessible and lead in carer support and features and lighting.
C
user And Ann Walker The involvement. brief was given to designer of Graduate Gardeners. reflective garden she understands allThe sides includes several seating areas, a still water of the story. pool with Jim’s sculpture as the centrepiece and an area with trickling water. The garden has been planted with yew hedging and box and a further seating area has been planted with birch trees and woodland bulbs.
“We wanted to create a beautiful
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outdoor space which is accessible to everyone and where people can sit and be reflective,” said Corinne. “Providing a safe haven where people can reflect and enjoy some peace is what Cotswold Care is all about.
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© Gazette Series Rednock School pupils Rebecca Masters, 16, and Joel Wagstaff, 14, with Allie Hogsbjerg of the Cotswold Care Hospice. The school raised more than £300 over just one lunchbreak.
T
alking to young people about what it’s like to have a life-limiting illness can help dispel worries and misconceptions about dying and about making the most of life. The Creative Schools Project (pages 20-22) illustrates how the Hospice is fostering better understanding for children and the community in a productive and creative way. In turn, we would like to welcome both primary and secondary schools from across the county to work with the Hospice in a different way. Our new 50:50 Schools Challenge, being launched in September, offers a school, year group or class a practical challenge to help build key skills. It’s a simple idea where each class or school group take £50 initial seed money provided by the Hospice and over 50 days (in a term or across the school year) see how they
could use it to raise money for the Hospice to fund our range of services. As part of the initiative children will have the opportunity to learn more about the care provided to those in the community. We know that there will be parents and grandparents who have been supported by the Hospice Team in the past, so this could be a way of children linking back to the Hospice. By taking part in the challenge children will have the opportunity to develop team building, leadership, organisation and entrepreneurial skills. At the end of the 50 days, there will be a prize-giving event at the school with awards for the top fundraisers, and most innovative idea.
If you would like your school to take part or would like further information, please contact the fundraising team on 01453 886868 or email fundraising@cotswoldcare.org.uk.
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You never know what treasure you’l l find
Your donations make aLL the difference to CotswoLd Care.
More than a third of the income needed to run Cotswold Care Hospice comes from our charity shops. You can support us by donating good quality summer clothing to any of our 14 shops. We welcome children’s, men’s and women’s clothing.
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You can heLp us raise even more by compLeting a Gift Aid form when you drop off your donations. It means that we can cLaim back the tax on your donated goods ADDING 25% TO THEIR VALUE.
Every day feeLs Like Christmas for charity shop manager Laura Cozza. “I love sorting through the bags of donations because you never know what you are going to find. It’s like unwrapping presents at Christmas.” A good thing too as Laura Cozza and her team receive an average of 70 bags of donations a day at the hospice’s charity shop in Bishop’s Cleeve. The record in any one day was 168 bags.
gaps in stock, ensures everything is in the right place and that all the goods on sale meet the charity’s quality standard. There’s always a welcome and a smile from the team when customers pop in to the shop. Laura firmly believes volunteers make a real difference to the shop’s atmosphere.
Every bag must be sorted. Good quality clothes are cleaned, priced, tagged and put on hangers. Damaged clothing is bagged and recycled as rags. Bric-a-brac and other donations are inspected, cleaned and priced up. It can take just a couple of hours from when the donations are brought into the shop before they are on sale. The shop - the charity’s largest - is celebrating its second anniversary. Laura has been there since the start. She works with her deputy Lloyd Thomas and a team of 12 volunteers. Laura has always worked in retail but loves the variety and freedom of managing a charity shop. “Every day is different. Every display is different because it depends on what we receive in donations and that is the joy of it.” Cotswold Care Hospice has 14 shops and prides itself on selling high quality goods. Several times throughout the day Laura will do a “shop walk” where she looks for
opl e e p e h t I l ove Teenager Ellie Fells is a volunteer at the Bishop’s Cleeve shop. The 17-year-old volunteers three hours a fortnight and helps on the till or steaming clothes. I really enjoy it. It wasn’t what I expected though I am not sure what I expected,” says Ellie. “It’s so much more sociable than I imagined. I really enjoy talking to the customers and to everyone in the shop.
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YOU WERE THERE WHEN WE NEEDED YOU
Vicky Wakefield-Heath’s dying wish was for her mother Angela Pearce to bring up her beloved son. Angela pays tribute to her daughter who died from bowel cancer at the age of 26. 12.
E
very night when I tuck my grandson Spencer into bed we say ‘nite, nite’ to
his mummy - my lovely daughter - and say a prayer for her. I tell him that I love him with all my heart and all his mummy’s heart. I want to do it right for Vicky. She entrusted me with her son - her proudest achievement. Vicky asked “Bring him up the way you brought me and James up mum”. So that is exactly what I am doing along with the support of Spencer’s dad, Grant, and both sides of the family. No one will ever replace my
but were 90% sure it was colitis. Any testing, she was told, could end up with her losing the baby. She was determined to have Spencer. The testing would have to wait. By the time Spencer was born Vicky was seriously ill. It was diagnosed as bowel cancer and the prognosis was bad. We had a six-month birthday party for Spencer because Vicky was frightened she wouldn’t be alive for his first birthday. She spent those precious last months making sure Spencer would be loved and looked after when she was gone.
I cannot put into words the difference friend. Her beautiful big the wonderful staff at smile always brightened my Cotswold Care Hospice day and that of many others. made to us at this very Her strong Christian tragic and frightening belief was the thread running time in our lives. through everything she did. Vicky had confidence She loved life. In 2007 Vicky was awarded a Civic Award in knowing the nurses Stonehouse for her work with would be popping in to help with her care and young people in the town. also to have a natter. daughter. She was my best
As a 17-year-old she travelled to New Zealand, a real sign
of her independence and spirit. She trained as a teacher and loved working with children. What she wanted more than anything in the world was to be a mother. Then when she was 26, Vicky became pregnant. She and Grant were over the moon
Vicky wanted Spencer and her to be cared for at home with us and they moved in at Christmas 2012. Cotswold Care Hospice at Home nurses helped us care for Vicky for three weeks. Vicky had a wonderful sense of humour and the nurses knew that, so would have a giggle with her and put her at her ease. I will always be thankful to them all for helping to make her final days less frightening and less stressful.
It made a huge difference to me as I was looking after Vicky and Spencer. It was a chance to rest, knowing that Vicky was in wonderful hands.
but then she became more and more ill. The
Sam, the hospice complementary therapist, was my life-saver. I would go to her for
bleeding she had suffered from for years -
reflexology. A chance to recharge my batteries.
believed to be caused by piles - worsened. Doctors were concerned about her bowel
It is a great comfort to know that Cotswold Care Hospice are still there for me now and 13.
whenever I need them. Vicky had a special blanket made for Spencer which is a photo of him in his mummy’s arms. She asked me to give it to him on his first birthday if she didn’t make it. He will grow up knowing he had a very special mummy who loved him with all her heart. The last word should go to my amazing daughter who left countless letters for Spencer and instructions on how she wanted her beautiful son to grow up. She wrote:
“I want Spencer to know how much he is loved and have lots of cuddles. I want people to tell him how proud they are of him and to make sure that he knows that he’s a very special loved little boy.”
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Angela and Spencer holding the blanket Vicky had made for her Son to help remember her by.
Angela and Grandson Spencer.
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Take Time for
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Tea
Take Time
Take Time for Tea We all lead busy lives. How often do you get the opportunity to take time for yourself? Cotswold Care Hospice is here to support people who face the most difficult times in their life. For our patients, a day at the hospice means a day especially for themselves. A day when they receive care and support and can simply relax. For their families and carers it gives them an opportunity to focus on themselves, even if it is just for a few hours. That may be shopping, going to the hairdressers, or simply sitting down with a cup of tea, knowing that their loved one is in safe hands. We are inviting you to do the same. Take
a break and share a cup of tea with your friends and family. By hosting a Take Time for Tea party you will enable us to continue to give others a much-needed break. Make your Take Time for Tea party as simple or elaborate as you like. You may wish to invite a friend or relative who you haven’t seen for a while, or your colleagues at work. You can order your fundraising pack by emailing events@cotswoldcare.org.uk or call 01453 886868. Your pack will include invitations, decorative bunting, cake labels, posters and hints and tips on how to make the most of your party.
Take Time for
Tea
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What’s on...
28 June 2014 and the
first Saturday of every month, Coffee Pot at South Cerney Parish Hall from 9.30am-12.30pm. Enjoy a cuppa, homemade cake and a natter. All welcome, just turn up, entrance is free. Donations for refreshments will go to the Hospice.
28 & 29 June 2014
Open Garden at Katherine’s Farm, Wotton in aid of the Hospice and St Peters Hospice. Find out more by calling Richard on 01453 843329
4 July 2014
Picnic in the Barn, Ingleside Barn, Cirencester. Organised by Cirencester Supporters Group. Bring your own picnic and enjoy an evening of live Jazz. Find out more or register your interest by calling Elaine Harris on 01285 652552
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18 &19 July 2014
Fundraising Exhibition of Fine Art, Cotswold Care Hospice, Burleigh Lane, Minchinhampton. 10am-4pm daily. Created by Cotswold artist Wendy Thompson who has commissioned art for The Prince of Wales. Free entry. Tea and cake available.
1 August 2014
Railway Journeys in Art: The Golden Ages of the Railway Poster Cotswold Care Hospice. 7.30pm for 8pm. Author Dr Richard Furness presents a unique talk on the history and development of the railway poster throughout the 20th century. His award-winning series of regional books forms the basis for a guided tour of Britain in iconic railway art. Tickets are £7.50 and include a glass of wine.
16 & 17 August 2014
Fairford Steam Rally & Show held at Quarry Farm, Poulton, GL7 5SR. Gates open from 10am, and parking is
free. Tickets cost £10, children under 14 go free. No need to book tickets, just turn up for a great family day out. A donation from the ticket sales will be made to the Hospice.
25 August 2014
Tombola Stall at Stratton Show, Cirencester. Our Cirencester Supporters Group will be holding a stall at this annual and well loved show.
27 September 2014
Dursley Male Voice Choir at Bingham Hall, Cirencester organised by Cirencester Soroptimists International in aid of the Hospice and Sue Ryder. Tickets cost £10, available from the Hospice shop, Sue Ryder or Visitors Information in Cirencester. Doors open 6.45pm, the concert starts at 7.30pm.
11 October 2014
Motown Night. From 9pm until late. Motown sounds, including music from DJ Pete French and the 13-piece band
Soul Destroyers. Tickets are £5 and are available from organiser, Greg Power Will Writers Ltd, 24A Dyer Street
Challenge events 29 June 2014
Forest of Dean Triathlon From 8am. Choose shorter or longer version with swimming in Mallards Pike, cycling on quiet forest roads, and running on forest fire tracks. For details visit bit.ly/FODTriathalon. Call the Hospice on 01453 886868 or email events@cotswoldcare.org.uk for your sponsorship pack.
2 & 3 August 2014
Virgin Active London Triathlon This is the world’s biggest triathlon with more than 13,000 people taking part. You can also do just one leg as part of a team relay. Find out more at www. thelondontriathlon.co.uk.
Call the Hospice on 01453 886868 or email events@cotswoldcare.org.uk for your sponsorship pack.
01453 886868 or email events@cotswoldcare.org.uk for your sponsorship pack.
16 & 17 August 2014
Cotswold Crunch Cycle Ride. Organised by Velo Events the Crunch is back for 2014 and better than ever. The 50k, 100k, and 160k rides mix some tough climbs with great views, this is a ride not to be missed. Registration is £24.50 and includes a donation to the Hospice. Register online www.veloevents.co.uk
Tough Mudder at Cirencester Park. This 10-12 mile challenge will test your all-round strength, stamina and mental grit. Find out more at bit.ly/tough_mud. Call the Hospice on 01453 886868 or email events@ cotswoldcare.org.uk for your sponsorship pack.
21 September 2014
25 August 2014
Winchcombe Hill Climb 10km, 5km and 1km multi-terrain route up to Belas Knap. Find out more at www.winchcombeshow.org /Run.html. Call the Hospice on 01453 886868 or email events@cotswoldcare.org.uk for your sponsorship pack.
7 September 2014
Cheltenham Half Marathon Find out more at www.cheltenhamhalf.co.uk. Call the Hospice on
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An innovative art project is helping to break down the taboos about hospice care. Artist Robin James worked with Cotswold Care Hospice patients and children from Minchinhampton CofE Primary to create a special piece of art. “The aim of the project was to break down the taboos about dying, death and bereavement and to show that a hospice is an okay place,” said Helen Corner, Day Therapy Manager. “We wanted to show them that a lot of good stuff happens here and that it can be a place of sadness but also of laughter.” During the four-week project 10 year six pupils visited the hospice every Monday afternoon and worked with a group of patients. With Robin’s support, they created a collage with the themes of water of courage. Everyone was encouraged to bring in materials, buttons and objects that meant something to them which Robin incorporated into the piece. Nell Fellows, aged 10, worked with patient Clemency Rubinstein. They discovered that they both loved baking.
“It was nice to hear her point of view,” said Nell. “We talked about a lot of things and the time passed really quickly. For some people who go to the hospice the art helps them express their feelings.” Clemency, a 48-year-old music teacher, attended day hospice after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I loved working with the children. It was a very precious thing. It’s so important to be able to help the next generation not to be scared of the “c” word,” says Clemency.
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“They need to understand that people who have cancer are human and just like everyone else. The more people can understand and talk about cancer the better it will be.” Headteacher Nick Moss said: “This was a unique opportunity that presented our children with the possibility of a life-affirming experience. It has meant a lot to them and they shared their experiences with their classes.”
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The group were able to explain their completed work to The Prince of Wales when he visited the hospice. “It was incredibly special to watch the relationships develop and was quite emotional,” said Robin. “A real attachment developed between the children and the adults they worked with.”
The finished Collage.
Thank you so much What some of our supporters have been doing to raise money for Cotswold Care Hospice We give a special thank you to Anne Creed and Jim Walsh who have retired from running Backhouse newsagents in Stroud. Since 2001 they have raised more than £1,180 through collection tins at their shop. Clare Bowden and Louise Taylor, who work for Lloyds Banking Group in Gloucester, raised more than £2,000 in a sponsored skydive. Nine-year-old India Higgins, from Nailsworth, raised £180 by doing a sponsored read. The branches of Coventry Building Society in Stonehouse, Nailsworth and Dursley, have chosen Cotswold Care as their charity of the year. So far they have raised more than £1,500. Greg Power, an Independent Financial Adviser from Cirencester, has raised £2,251 and has now organised two further Motown events at Jubilee Hall, Cirencester.
Gemma Wright, branch manager of The Coventry in Stonehouse, Emma Boxhall, Hospice Therapy Assistant and Claire Guscott, community champion.
The Coffee Pot community group in South Cerney have so far raised £850 towards their £3,000 target for us in 2014. Retired Cotswold Care day hospice nurse Anne Roberts has kindly agreed to start a new Supporter group in Frampton-on-Severn. Peter and Elizabeth Witts, of Stroud, raised £360 by asking people to donate to us in lieu of gifts for their 60th wedding anniversary.
Students at Stroud College SGS raised £443 by staging a fashion show. We are supporting its National Citizen Scheme for students to enhance their CVs through fundraising and volunteering for our charity.
Sarah Bond, Karen Ellis and Liz Leonard raised £4,049 by taking part in the London to Paris cycle ride.
Archway School pupil Megan Rosser, from Stroud, raised £90 by holding two coffee mornings. She has also helped as a fundraising volunteer.
Hospice trustee Alan Simmons and his son Jonty hope to raise £2,250 by taking part in Prudential Ride London which covers the road race route of the 2012 Olympics.
Bus company Stagecoach is providing free transport for our Solstice Walk on 20 June. We are Forest Green Rovers’ chosen charity for the year. So far the club has raised £408.
Eastington Primary School raised £502 through their Christmas performances.
125 students from Loughborough University raised £2,043 in memory of fellow student Peter Holmes by running around their Halls of Residence 100 times. 23.
So many people need
Hospice at Home care
And now we
need you. With your gift today, we could train more nurses in end-of-life care. Thanks to you, someone could spend their last few days at home with the people they love.
!
Please support our vital Hospice at Home service today. I would like to make a gift of: £ _________________________ Your details Title Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss/other _________ Forename ___________________ Surname ____________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________Postcode______________________ Telephone ____________________________________________________________________________ Email ______________________________________________________________________________
Thank you Please return this slip, along with your donation to Cotswold Care Hospice, FREEPOST SWC2421, Burleigh Lane, Minchinhampton GL5 2BF. Cheques can be made payable to ‘Cotswold Care Hospice’
Donate online at www.cotswoldcare.org.uk/hospiceathome
Reg Charity No: 298627